The Pod Archives

AGUILAR, Selina   2006?
Email
im on my last year at denny m.s. and have been up to anything and nothing =)
(as of 3/25/08)

BERK, Celia   2007
Email
I belong at Salmon Bay Middle School (: I've been up to everything.
(as of 11/16/08)

(BROBACK) DEVINE, Anna-Marie   1985
Email
Who would have thought way back in elementary school that we would all be a part of an amazing program that would be such a unifying bond so many years later? I went to Garfield for high school, then graduated from WWU with a degree in Theatre, traveled for a year with Up With People, and am currently employed as a travel agent for DHL/Airborne Express, although due to the merger, I will be out a job come the end of July, and continuing to search for what I want to be when I grow up.:) Got married last year, am currently living across the street from the house I grew up in in Phinney Ridge (right next door to old OLD Orca, or what's still known as the Phinney Neighborhood Center) Doing theatre, stage combat and singing whenever I can, and am thoroughly enjoying married life!
(as of 6/17/04)

BROWN, Hugh   1976
Email
My brother Murray was one of the original students of Allens Alley and he showed me this web site a few years back. Now its good to see other people I remember from my years there when we did the first ever "save the whale dance" performed at other schools and met Jacques Cousteau, all the work it took for our adventure on Sucia island,Harvey and his printing press,watching films in the hallway,carob cookies and burnt bread,The fantastic 5 that took on the whole school at kickball, the daily noon air raid siren,Laurels smoking habits and the bigfoot scare. I still have the book we published after the Sucia trip and many many more great memory's thanks to all the dedicated teachers and parents. I now live near Hood River Oregon and am a Groundskeeper/Sturgeon keeper at a fish hatchery and have one son and a granddaughter.
(as of 6/16/09)

BUNDY, Seth   1984
Email
I'm now back home teaching math at Garfield High School, after spending half my 20's halfway around the world, teaching in Namibia.
(as of 3/16/03)

BURDGE, Gary   Teacher
Email
This (2003-04) is my last year with Orca. It's an interesting year as I don't have a classroom of my own. This year I have an office (The Wave Room) where students who are having a difficult time (for whatever reason) can come, talk it out, play or re-group. So, instead of my own classroom, I play an active role in all classrooms at Orca. My goal, in addition to supporting the student, is to help make the teaching experience easier, more productive, enjoyable.

I have continued the choreography elective which I'm sure many of you remember. Along with your creative help, we have produced fabulous dances almost every year.

I still work with Liz Neuman and Dave Cook and we talk and think about many of you often. I love reading about you now and welcome emails or visits.
(as of 10/27/03)

BURDGE, Hannah   1985
Email
Hannah graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1996 with a degree in Political Science. She is currently in her third year of medical school in Denver, loves to bike and climb mountains. (submitted by hilary burdge)
(as of 9/11/02)

BURDGE, Hilary   1988
Email
I am currently living in brooklyn, ny attending graduate school. In addition to being a student, i am also a nanny and a TA at hunter college. i like to ride my bike and paint.
(as of 10/14/04)

CHATTERTON-KIRCHMEIER, Mia   1994
Email
I graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2001. I am entering my last year at the University of Washington studying psychology.
(as of 6/21/04)

CHATTERTON-KIRCHMEIER, Sam   1991
Email
I graduated from Roosevelt HS in '98 and from UC Santa Cruz in '02. I have been working in biochemistry labs at the UW and the Fred Hutch since graduating, playing with Seattle's club ultimate frisbee team (Seattle Sockeye), coaching middle and high school ultimate frisbee, and am now working on getting into medical school.
(as of 8/18/06)

CLIFFORD, Madeleine   After Orca Annex
Email
I graduated from The Center School and I am currently attending the University of Washington. I have chosen to major in English with a Creative Writing emphasis and I would also like to minor in Women's Studies. During my free time I write and perform spoken word poetry with an organization called Youth Speaks Seattle. I have also recently started a hip hop group called Canarysing and we perform shows in and around the Seattle area. Check out my website at myspace.com for more details!
(as of 7/28/07)

CONLIN, David   1988
Email
Graduated from GHS in 1995, Colorado College (B.A., Biology) in 1999 then spent several years being a travelling, seasonally working biologist/raft guide/bum. Got sick of that and went to University of Colorado at Boulder, where I earned my M.A. in Ecology in 2005. I just moved back to Washington (Leavenworth) where I work for the US Fish & Wildlife Service on Salmonid Conservation Projects and live with my Fiancee, Amy, and our dog, Kiah.
(as of 7/28/05)

FINHOLT, Trina   1979
Email
So where are all the Freeschool Freaks? The Coons, Bulls, Parkers, Wrights, McMillans, et al. I graduated from Summit, got an English Degree from Western, am married and raising 2 kids. I still don't know what I'm going to do with my life. For the real important details, and a chance to rehash things like The Day Steve Freaked Out and Mr. Shelton and Camp Orkila, e-mail me.
(as of 7/23/03)

FITZPATRICK, Ben   1984
Email
Ben is currently living in Northern California with his wife, Angeline, and his daughter, Raina. Ben is rummaging in the wilderness for strangely evolved salamanders and teaches at UC Davis.
(as of 9/12/02)

FULTON, Chadwick   1981
Email
I moved out south when I was 9 and have lived in the Normandy Park, Des Moines area ever since. I spent 4 years in Pullman finishing up my Degree in Communications at W.S.U and now I'm working for a family business in the HVAC industry.
(as of 6/16/04)

GARBIN, Megan   1984
Email
My family (including brothers, Matthew and Michael, who also swim in the pod) reluctantly relocated to the suburbs in the fall of '84. Mike and I graduated Shorewood High School while Matt took (and continues to take) his own route to a similar destination.

To this day, I covet my early years at Orca and walk through life knowing that "one of these kids is doing they're own thing". Throughout the remainder of my childhood and through the slow but steady progression of life to the present day I remain to be that young girl who once upon a time found something to believe in and somewhere to belong.

Thank you Gary, Marletta, Yolanda, Ann, Liz and all the others for giving me solid ground. Please know that without your influence my safety net would not remain intact after this much use.
(as of 9/25/07)

GLOVER, Darry   1979-80
Email
All these years later...Fist off, Our teachers were from heaven. (thanks for every experience!) WOW! it's good to finally find a portal back to some old memories. Fondest memories are that of dance class,and traveling to all of the schools and hospitals to perform what we had a part in creating, the creativity exercised during that year was unforgetable and is partly responsible for one of my paths today. Also Algebra-Trig, music, running on greenlake, camping, oh my god we've got to get together yall!!!!! Robyn Winfield, Brian Coon, Sherelle & Shenelle Reese, Rocky, are some names I remember.
(as of 8/12/07)

GODDARD, Yana   2005
Email
i went to meany middle school all three years and i have had my first year of high school at nathan hale ! :D
(as of 6/16/09)

GOODALL (Tannenbaum), Malkah   1984
Email
It's really cool to find this web page - most of you I can still picture, but of course I picture you all as little children. I am living in Denver and attending college - studying fine art photography and language. I am married and...well, that's all the big news. Have traveled a bit and hope to travel a lot more.
(as of 7/23/03)

GRAHAM, Emily   2001
Email
I moved to Vashon and graduated from McMurray Middle School and right now I'm a junior at Vashon High School. I miss all my old teachers and wish i had more of a chance to come back and visit.
(as of 4/15/07)

GUGGI, Julie   1984
Email
missed the reunion, looking to speak with old classmates, Josh, Celeste etc...
(as of 6/21/04)

I would love to hear from old friends: Rebecca, Mona (Monique), Kelli, Allison, Trina, Brenna, Sarah, and everyone else. Shari Stevens lives in my neighborhood and has a kid at my kids' school. Why don't we have a reunion?
(as of 3/11/07)

HATZENBIHLER, Justin   1983
Email
Currently work at Microsoft.
(as of 12/04/08)

HAWKINS, Byron   1985
Email
I've been working on independent software projects for the last few years, and classical music occupies the rest of my time. I recorded these songs in August '03. Enjoy!
(as of 6/22/04)

HAWKINS, Peter   1984
Email
Mr. Hawkins is currently at the University of Virginia for law school. (posted by Matt McLaughlin)
(as of 11/14/04)

HISERMAN, Alexandria   1995
Email
Went to high school at Garfield, then got my BA in Art from Duke University. I am now teaching 4th grade in Southwest Philadelphia through Teach For America.
(as of 12/4/06)

HOGAN, David   1985
Email
Angela, my fiancee, and I have been in Los Angeles for all of eight months, and we are returning to Seattle to, among other things, wed, and reestablish ourselves as thriving theatre actors in the northwest. My Hollywood fantisies did not really pan out, and I quickly realized that my heart is in the theatre. So, homeward bound we are. I am bummed to miss the reunion. I have such fond memories of so many of you all.
(as of 6/21/04)

HOLBERG, Jason R.   1981
Email
Graduated from Ballard High School in 1989. U.S.Army 1989-1993. Currently own my own business, Paul Davis Restoration. We are a general contractor that specializes in insurance restoration of homes. Married with 4 kids. We live on 5 acres in Stanwood. I have so many memories of Orca: Marletta, Yolanda, Debbie, Gary, Steve, Nancy, and Janice. Camp Orkila and Seabeck. Bette Midler's "The Rose" playing while we did whale dances. Too many to write. We lived only two blocks away and my parents are still in Phinney.
(as of 6/21/04)

HOLBERG, Megan   1984?
Email
I am currently living in Mountlake Terrace, and I am working as a special ed. asst. in the Seattle Schools (actually have subbed at Orca, and saw a few familiar faces!) No kiddos of my own yet, but am busy being an aunt to my 8 neices & nephews (Kelli & Jason, also past students each have 4 kids, and are living in that Stanwood area) Other than working I am just busy with family and friends and having as much fun as possible. My oh my I can't believe we are hitting the 30 age mark already my fellow classmates!! :)
(as of 6/21/04)

HOLMES, Kate   2007
Email
I have just started my seventh grade year at Washington Middle School, and although there is much, MUCH more homework than at Orca, I am adjusting quite nicely. My life has fallen into a busy yet organized routine, and although I am wishing it had a little more pizazz, life has been treating me kindly. I remember Orca quite often, and I miss all of my old teachers. I try to visit as often as possible, but that is a little tough sometimes. Orca was the best thing that could have happened to me. I think I would be very much a different person if I had not gone there.
(as of 10/14/08)

HOLMES, Maggie   2005
Email
I went on from Orca to Salmon Bay Middle School, and had a really great time there. Now I am at Garfield High School, involved in theater and the like.
(as of 10/14/08)

HOWARD, Josh   1989
Email
I live in Seattle and have a baby girl named Camryn that's 7 months.
(as of 4/27/05)

HUGHES, Raena   1982
Email
I attended Orca in the late 70's -early 80's with my older sister Monique. We loved the dance, sewing and calligraphy classes. My fondest memories were "The Rose" dance and the camping trip when the bees came out of the firelogs during the campfire. :)

I went to Ballard High School and graduated in 1991. After high school I joined the Navy and lived overseas in Guam for two years. I also lived in San Diego, California for the rest of my Navy career (10 years). I am now living back in Seattle with my two great kids Sydney and Robert. My family still resides in the Seattle area including my sister (also a Orca Alumni Monique aka Mona).

I cannot express the impact that my past teachers and former friends/students have had on my life (Nancy, Gary, Marletta, Yolanda) Thank You!
(as of 5/9/06)

JESSUP, Elizabeth (Lizzy)   2005
Email
I graduated from Salmon Bay (NOMS) last year. Now I am starting off my freshman year at Nathan Hale High School I am on the gymnastics and loving it. Right now I am writing a report about how much I learned from orca. I miss it so much. I miss doing fun combinations and swinging on the monkey bars. Thanks to all the teachers who taught and supported me.
(as of 12/04/08)

JOHNSON, John   1995
Email
I AM CURRENTLY WORKING FOR A SOILS LAB AND GOING TO SCHOOL TO BE A CONCRETE INSPECTOR.
(as of 02/08/09)

KEENAN (GEBAROFF), David   1981
Email
I attended Orca from around '77 to '80/'81, second through fourth grade. My hippy parents had me going by my mother's maiden name then (Gebaroff), but I've since switched to the more conventional Keenan (dad's name). I recall several friends: Carl (Blue) Jagel, Kelly and Jason Holberg, Mark Ginther, Pandora Fitzpatrick, Anne McMillan, Vari and Jennifer McKay, Doria Nordness, Sara Coone, Kristi Pellegrini, et al, and I certainly recall teachers such as a Gary and Nancy. I attended the UW Jackson School of International Studies, and in perhaps the most unconventional career choice for an Orca grad, I have been in federal law enforcement for the last ten+ years, which keeps me busy these days. I live with my wife in Magnolia.
(as of 8/09/04)

KNAPPERT, Kate   2000
Email
I am graduating from highschool and going on to the UW, pursuing an International Relations degree.
(as of 5/14/07)

KOHN, Laura   1996
Email
After 7th grade my family finally moved up to port townsend where i started early at the higschool and graduated class of 2003. ive since decided to take some time off, and decide what to do with myself, before i go to school. ive been wondering a lot lately about what happened to all the kids i used to know, id love to hear from any of you.
(as of 6/17/04)

(KRABILL) GODWIN, Aubra   1987
Email
Well, alot has happened to me in the past 4+ years, I have gotten married, have 2 beautiful daughters, Ellyotte Rose, who is 3, and Samantha Moranne who is 1. I am currently in the process of getting a divorce. I live in Bremerton, WA, and I work for the City of Seattle. I never did finish school, had babies instead, but I wouldn't trade my life for anything.
(as of 11/22/02)

KRABILL, Micah   1985
Email
Micah graduated from the Evergreen State College in the year 2000, listened to Matt Groening deliver a speech about it, and then hopped a plane to Europe. He spent 7 weeks visting 11 different countries (with Chris Wallis tagging along for portions of the trip, I might add). Micah now works as the Associate Center Manager for Kaplan and intends to head for Graduate school as soon as he can figure out what pesky program to take (Eng. Literature, comparative literature, germanic literature, OH the humanities!). He owns the URL www.finneganswake.net but he has not had time to actually create the website so it currently links to a webpage his cat Eli made (ok, that's an exagerration, Eli just did the programming, not the design). Look for updates as time flies...

If your name is Matt McLaughlin, Chris Wallis or Peter Hawkins, I must say I think its about time to revive our 20 year old book Dragonquest (you never know, it could sell).
(as of 2/19/03)

LOFTON, Celeste   1988
Email
Graduated Pitzer College in Political Economy, now organizing in African American and Latino immigrant institutions in South Central Los Angeles. Would love to hear from teachers, classmates.
(as of 7/23/02)

MATSUI, Yoshiko "Nana"   1985
Email
After braving it in Los Angeles for several years, I fled the asphalt landed in the beautiful city of Tacoma. I work with the amazing students at University of Puget Sound. I'm excited to for the reunion planning and hope to see many of the pod there.
(as of 5/02/04)

MCFARLAND, Mia   2006
Email
I just started out my 7th grade year at Summit K-12. A great school that might just be demolished because of the amount of students enrolling. Im on the middle school soccer team am im hopeing to join girls basketball and track.
(as of 10/17/08)

MCKAY, Shane   long ago
Email
Breaching...
(as of 5/2/05)

MCLAREN, JAMAAN   1983
Email
Currently living in Los Angeles, making music with my band, Giant Panda. Single, no kids, still raising myself. Love y'all, peace...
(as of 2/19/08)

MCLAUGHLIN, Emily   1988
Email
She is living in Seattle and successfully working in wardrobe at the Seattle Children's Theatre and as a costume designer for a number of local theatres.
(as of 7/23/03)

MCLAUGHLIN, Matthew   1984
Email
I am a Sr. Web Producer with Hachette Book Group who own Little, Brown and Grand Central Publishing. My wife, Clare is a freelance editor. Our two children are Jamie (6) and Fiona (2). We currently live in Astoria, Queens, NYC.
(as of 02/28/09)

PARTNOW, Jessica   1992
Email
More later...
(as of 6/16/04)

PEARLE, Christine
Email
accually i went to john b allan but my friends went to orca and we had some classes there.
(as of 10/6/00)

PEARSON, Karen (Vicker)   1982
Email
After graduating from Garfield high, I continued my education, first at Seattle Central CC, then UW. After finishing college, I fell into software testing, which I've been doing for 10 years. I'm currently living in Shoreline, with my husband and our two boys (one in high school and one in pre-school!).
(as of 8/11/07)

RAGLAND-JOHNSEN, Nick   2001
Email
I graduated last year(2008)from Franklin High School and am attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ.
(as of 02/08/09)

RHYNE, Kyle   2004
Email
well I'm currently going to summit k-12 in lake city. lifes good it has its ups and downs, but overall it's pretty nice
(as of 12/07/07)

SAWREY, Marco   1979
Email
I graduated with a BA in History from Pomona College in 1989.
I spent about 5 years travelling through Europe, South America and the Middle East and worked as an English and Spanish teacher to help fund my travels.
As luck would have it, I stumbled into a small internet company by the name of Amazon.com in 1998. In January of 2000, I was transfered to Paris, France to assist with the launch of Amazon.fr (the French Amazon) and I have been here ever since.
After 5 years with the company, I left Amazon.fr in January of 2003 and now work for a subsidiary of Universal Music France as the Internet and Development Director.
I wish I could join you all for the reunion and hope to hear from any former classmates and teachers that have the time to shoot off an email or happen to travel through Paris.
(as of 6/17/04)

SLIND, Adam   1981
Email
Married with 2 beautiful kids. I graduated from Tahoma in 1989, and Seattle University in 1995 with a degree in economics. Currently living in Spokane, but looking to move back to the area for either work or school.
So many memories. Orkila, Casey, and Seabeck. Gary, Debbie, Marletta, Crazy Steve, Nancy, Judy, etc. Too many students to name. Recess memories are abundant as well. Classroom activities and field trips were the best learning experience anyone my age had. We learned through experience rather than just studying it in a book.
(as of 7/9/07)

WALLIS, Chris   1984
Email
Graduated from University of Rochester with a BA in Religion, Summa Cum Laude. Currently completing a Masters in Sanskrit and South Asian Studies at UC Berkeley. Next year going to Oxford to do an MPhil in Classical Indian Religion. As you can tell, I'm on an academic career track towards being a professor of eastern philosophy and religion. It rocks. Purpose: to uplift humanity in the form of undergrads with the empowering knowledge of their own innate divinity. Thanks to Matt for doing this. More people should post, yo.
(as of 9/18/02)

WENTWORTH, David   1981
Email
Married and living in New York City. Working as a freelance photographer. Miss the NW terribly, but the work, culture and educational opportunities out here have been very good for me.

Sorry to have missed the reunion. Lots of memories of Orca.. Summer camp was always the best. Remember pretending to be AC/DC during the talent contest one year (ugh!) How about the water-balloon raid on Log City? Anyone remember that? Got in some big trouble for that one! Sorry Steve! How about Gary's big green limousine? That was kind of random! The Seattle Pubic School system sure was a big drag after four years at Orca. Took some serious getting used to, but made it through.. and beyond!

Hard to remember all my friend's names, but Bleu, Jason, Justin, Adam, Mosha come to mind. Know that there are more. Had 5th grade crushes on Terri, Tess.. and Ann Pace, for the 6-months that she was there :) I have a few class photos. It would be great if we could post them online somehow. Hope everyone is well. Feel free to send an email if you like.

(Thanks for web site, Matthew)
(as of 1/9/08)

WINFIELD, Robyn   1980?
Email
After 20 years of playing drums in various local (read: unsuccessful) rock bands, I've finally settled into a boring existence, working for Amazon.com, where I've been for over 7 years now. But, seriously folks, life is good-even if not as entertaining as playing on stage!
(as of 6/16/04)